WASHINGTON—A  report conducted by Frost & Sullivan highlights the benefits of supplementing with phytosterols to reduce cholesterol and financial impact from coronary heart disease (CHD)-related medical expenses.

The report, “Smart Prevention—Health Care Cost Savings Resulting from the Targeted Use of Dietary Supplements," was conducted through a grant from the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation (CRNF). In the report it articulates that the target population, U.S. adults over the age of 55 with CHD, can reduce their risk of a CHD-related medical events by over 11 percent through supplementing with phytosterols.

“According to the economic report, for those currently suffering from CHD, it’s financially prudent to include phytosterols to help prevent medical events associated with the disease," said Steve Mister, president, CRNF. “Medical events are expensive; this report tells us it’s worth considering the 15 cents per day it costs to take phytosterols to help prevent these kinds of events in the first place,"

According to the report, less than one percent of adults over the age of 55 take phytosterol dietary supplements daily.

“Daily consumption of phytosterols can prevent cholesterol buildup in the body by inhibiting its absorption in the intestine," said Duffy MacKay, N.D., senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition "I encourage my patients with or without high cholesterol to eat a phytosterol-rich diet that includes plenty of nuts, whole grains and vegetables. When diet changes are not enough to keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range, I recommend phytosterol-containing dietary supplements. This report reinforces phytosterols as a viable preventive health measure for these individuals."

For more information on the report, watch the INSIDER interview “Analyzing Supplements’ Cost Savings" with Frost & Sullivan’s Chris Shanahan, global program manager, food and agriculture.